Preacher Paul's Blogs

This Sunday, we begin our summer sermon series with “Joy and Nothing Less,” a message rooted in Philippians 4:4–7 and inspired by the opening line of Dr. Carson Brisson’s beautiful benediction. Scripture calls us to “Rejoice in the Lord always,” but joy can feel distant when life is hard. In this message, we will explore how joy is not tied to favorable circumstances but is a deep gift from God. We will also reflect on the peace that does not wait for us to find it but comes to us, guarding our hearts and minds even when life feels uncertain. As you prepare your hearts for worship, ask yourself:  What is the difference between happiness and joy in your own life?  When has God's peace met you where you were, just when you needed it most?

  Summer Sermon Series Beginning Sunday, June 29, we will embark on a new summer sermon series rooted in a beautiful benediction by Dr. Carson Brisson, Professor Emeritus at Union Presbyterian Seminary in Charlotte. At the end of each class, Dr. Brisson would offer a heartwarming blessing that stayed with many of us long after the final lecture. Over the next seven weeks, we will explore the profound themes woven into that benediction. From the pursuit of joy and peace to the lifelong journey of becoming a blessing, and finally to the radical hospitality that defines Christian discipleship, each sermon will stand on its own while building upon the one before it. I hope you will join us each week as we open our hearts to the Spirit's movement and reflect on what it means to be found, transformed, and sent in the name of Christ. Pastor Paul

This week, I will be out of the pulpit, on vacation.  Rev. Edgar McCall will deliver a sermon based on  John 2:1-11.  We hope you can join us! Rev. McCall has served as an ordained PC(USA) pastor for over 35 years, retiring from First Presbyterian Church in Lancaster in 2024.  He and his wife, Noel, live in Indian Land.  He enjoys monthly lunches with the Lancaster pastor’s group, which includes Paul.

This Sunday is Trinity Sunday, a day when the church pauses to reflect on the mystery and beauty of our triune God. The sermon, “As Clear As Mud,” will acknowledge that the Trinity is not something we fully understand, but something we faithfully experience. We will explore how God the Creator brings life from chaos, how Christ reveals God's heart through love and sacrifice, and how the Holy Spirit continues to guide us into truth and transformation. The doctrine of the Trinity may feel overwhelming, but it points us to a God who is deeply involved in every part of our lives. As you prepare your heart for worship, I invite you to read John 16:12–15.  What does it mean to trust a God who is beyond our comprehension yet intimately present?  How have you experienced the presence of the Father, the Son, or the Holy Spirit this week? 

This Sunday’s sermon, “That Was The Holy Spirit,” invites us to reflect on the power and presence of the Holy Spirit as revealed in Acts 2:1–8. Pentecost is more than a historical event, it is a reminder that God’s Spirit is still moving among us, comforting us in our sorrow, convicting us toward what is right, and accompanying us through every moment of life, both sacred and ordinary. The same Spirit that filled the disciples with boldness continues to work quietly and powerfully in our lives today. As you prepare your heart this week, consider:  When have you felt an unexpected peace or a sudden clarity in a difficult moment? Might that have been the Spirit?  How might God’s Spirit be moving in your life right now, even in the most ordinary places?